02.05.2026 04:30
Activists from the Global Sumud Fleet, which was intercepted by Israel in international waters, described their experiences in detail after returning to Istanbul. Stating that they were mistreated during their detention on the ship, the activists said the events raise serious questions under international law.
Activists on the Global Sumud Fleet, which was attacked and detained by Israel in international waters, recounted their experiences at Istanbul Airport after arriving on a Turkish Airlines (THY) flight.
WELCOMED AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT A total of 59 people, including 18 Turkish citizens on the plane, were welcomed on the tarmac with roses and Palestinian keffiyehs by Deputy Foreign Minister Hacı Ali Özel, Chairman of the Turkish Parliament's Turkey-Palestine Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group and AK Party Istanbul Deputy Hasan Turan, Istanbul Airport Civil Administrator Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlker Haktankaçmaz, and Chairman of the Platform for Support of Palestine Osman Nuri Kabaktepe.
“INTERVENTION IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS” Activist Halil Erdoğmuş stated that their journey began in Barcelona and they set out with 65 ships.
Halil Erdoğmuş Erdoğmuş said that on the fourth day of the journey, around midnight, an alarm suddenly sounded, adding, "Foreign soldiers suddenly arrived in an incomprehensible manner. We couldn't imagine that Israeli soldiers could take us from our ship in the middle of Europe, in international waters. If Israel can come all the way to the middle of Europe and seize people from more than 50 nationalities in international waters with a terrorist pirate approach, there is a huge problem here. There is a tremendous achievement by Sumud here, forcing Europe to reconsider its security. Sumud caused such fear in Israel that it thought it could only be stopped thousands of kilometers away."
“THEY TURNED THE SHIP INTO A PRISON” Describing the moments of detention by the Israeli army, Erdoğmuş continued: "From the moment they captured us, they treated all our friends like animals, perhaps as in their books or beliefs. Some of our friends were severely beaten. Two of them were confiscated on the ship there. We are now worried about their lives, two friends, a Brazilian and a Spaniard... They put us in a floating prison. They crammed us into three containers, soaking everything. We shivered all night until morning. We had no clothes or protection. Many of our friends had no shoes or socks."
“DON'T FORGET THE SITUATION IN GAZA” Another activist, Ali Deniz, despite the difficulties they faced, drew attention to the situation of civilians in Gaza. He thanked Turkey for its support during the process.
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM TURKEY Deputy Foreign Minister Hacı Ali Özel announced that not only Turkish citizens but also 41 people from different countries were brought to Turkey. Özel emphasized that Turkey acts within the framework of international law and human rights.
Hacı Ali Özel AK Party Istanbul Deputy Hasan Turan stated that freedom flotillas cannot be stopped and that such initiatives will continue increasingly.
Hasan Turan After the welcome, the activists were taken to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute for a medical examination as part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.